Chrysler Ypsilon MOT Failures
An analysis of 138,417 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chrysler Ypsilon — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Y1 (2011–2015).
Where the Chrysler Ypsilon fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chrysler Ypsilon is abs fault — this model is 85 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 138,417 MOT tests, 15.02% of all Chrysler Ypsilon tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include suspension component damaged or corroded (40x the fleet average), cable damaged or knotted (23x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (21x the fleet average), and steering rack wear (51x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chrysler Ypsilon's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Bodywork, Steering, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a Chrysler Ypsilon before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Chrysler Ypsilon's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Chrysler Ypsilon specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (85x the average) and steering rack wear (51x). suspension component damaged or corroded (40x) and cable damaged or knotted (23x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Chrysler Ypsilon specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (24x the average) and cable damaged or knotted (22x). abs fault (20x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (8.8x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Chrysler Ypsilon specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are cable damaged or knotted (22x the average) and abs fault (14x). suspension component damaged or corroded (11x) and suspension component damaged or corroded also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to cable damaged or knotted at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Chrysler Ypsilon specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Steering roughness and binding Major
The Ypsilon 1.2 petrol develops excessive roughness in steering operation at a rate 50 times higher than the fleet average, typically appearing between 40,000-80,000 miles. Affects Y1; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Suspension component corrosion Major
Suspension components on the Ypsilon 1.2 petrol suffer from premature corrosion at 40 times the fleet average, with failures occurring even on very low mileage examples. Affects Y1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Coil spring failure Major
Coil springs on the Chrysler Ypsilon fail at 13 times the fleet average rate, with failures occurring across all mileage bands including very low mileage examples. Affects Y1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Shock absorber bush premature failure
The shock absorber mounting bushes on the Chrysler Ypsilon fail at exceptionally high rates across all mileage ranges, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 85 times the national fleet average. Affects Y1; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chrysler Ypsilon common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chrysler Ypsilon
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chrysler Ypsilon:
Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension component damaged or corroded, suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn. Brakes — check for cable damaged or knotted. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about steering roughness and binding and suspension component corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Chrysler Ypsilon?
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Chrysler Ypsilon MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Ypsilon?
Based on 138,417 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 85x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include suspension component damaged or corroded and cable damaged or knotted.
Is the Chrysler Ypsilon reliable based on MOT data?
The Chrysler Ypsilon has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag steering roughness and binding as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Chrysler Ypsilon most commonly fails on cable damaged or knotted and abs fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault and steering rack wear.
How do I check a Chrysler Ypsilon's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.